Combating Oil Pollution in the Kuwait Action Plan Region: UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 44

This paper reviews the behaviour, sources, impacts, and management of petroleum pollution in the marine environment, with a primary focus on oil spills and operational discharges. It outlines physical and chemical processes affecting spilled oil, including dispersion and emulsification, and evaluates offshore and shoreline clean-up techniques based on practical effectiveness. The document also examines containment strategies, particularly the use of barriers, and highlights operational constraints. It incorporates empirical data, including global estimates of petroleum inputs and risk analyses of tanker spills and blow-outs, to assess pollution sources and probabilities. Additionally, it addresses regulatory frameworks, organisational response capacity, and logistical considerations influencing spill response and environmental protection outcomes.